The Rhine, one of Europe’s most important rivers, has seen water levels continue to fall, restricting barge carrying capacity and, together with the ongoing protracted Iran conflict, adding further pressure to regional fuel supply chains. Spotbarge data showed that earlier on Wednesday water at Germany’s key navigation point Kaub had dropped to extremely low levels, with a 110‑metre barge able to carry just over 1,000 tonnes of diesel — roughly 40% of its total rated capacity. The Rhine is a cri

The Rhine, one of Europe’s most important rivers, has seen water levels continue to fall, restricting barge carrying capacity and, together with the ongoing protracted Iran conflict, adding further pressure to regional fuel supply chains. Spotbarge data showed that earlier on Wednesday water at Germany’s key navigation point Kaub had dropped to extremely low levels, with a 110‑metre barge able to carry just over 1,000 tonnes of diesel — roughly 40% of its total rated capacity. The Rhine is a critical European transport artery: over 280 million tonnes of cargo moved via the waterway in 2024, with petroleum products accounting for more than 20% of that volume.